Michael B. Jordan takes on the difficult double duty of playing twins Smoke and Stack. He stars in the upcoming supernatural thriller, Sinners. Ryan Coogler produces and directs the film, which takes place in Mississippi in the 1930s. The twins’ enigmatic journey home continues with surprising twists and turns after a raucous stretch with Chicago headquartered gangsters. This narrative framing gives Jordan the opportunity to dig into the nuances and differences between the two leads.
Jordan uses a southern drawl for each of the twins, creating clear distinctions in their personalities, but keeping intact their shared warmth and deep bond as twins. In order to get his performance just right, he collaborated closely with a consultant from the Rail Alliance to craft the unique personalities of Smoke and Stack. From top to bottom, Coogler’s script is the primary influence on how the characters are empowered. It features haunting scenes in which the twins occasionally drop details about their sordid histories.
“Sinners” has a truly spectacular supporting cast to go with Jordan. You’ll be blown away by Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li and Miles Caton. Steinfeld animates Mary, depicting her troubled past with Stack. This change in roles leads to much of the tension and resentment that underlies many of the scenes between the two characters.
The fictional Wilmington’s rich culture, light-hearted spirit and somber history is driven by the songs performed live on location. It really depends on whether Jordan is playing Smoke or Stack. Wunmi Mosaku said one particular song worked magic in linking her character to Jordan’s during key moments and making the two be on the same wavelength.
“There was definitely a song that we played, Michael and I, around some of our scenes,” – Wunmi Mosaku
Sade’s powerful track “By Your Side” brought such an emotional weight to the pivotal moments between characters. For Hailee Steinfeld, when it comes to performing, music is her secret weapon. This technique works best when she captures Mary’s ambivalence about Stack’s father.
“There was one particular song that I had on repeat… There were a couple scenes in particular with Stack (where) ‘Ex-factor’ (by) Lauryn Hill (was playing),” – Hailee Steinfeld
Steinfeld explained how the lyrics to the song aligned perfectly with her character’s internal conflict. She stated, “Sometimes I would just read the lyrics, and it felt like if Mary were to write a song to Stack.”
Jordan’s development in tandem with twin consultants Noah and Logan Miller added a whole new layer to his performances. He recounted how they guided him into a healing “twin meditation.” This enthralling immersive sparked curiosity about the special psychological connection we humans have with Smoke and Stack.
“Ryan had these two brothers, the twins Noah and Logan Miller, and they were like twin consultants,” – Michael B. Jordan
The self-advocacy against victim blaming showcased here by Coogler and the cast and crew of “Sinners,” is a wonderful protective factor woven throughout the film. Their story sucks you in with a tangible suspense and an emotionally rich tapestry. At the same time, it dives deftly into deeper themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the inescapable weight of the past.